DENNIS, Riley Edwin Kersey – After a tragically short and sometimes challenging life, Riley was suddenly called to Heaven on Sunday, June 21, 2026, as a result of a major car accident. Born on February 1, 1999, in Belleville, Ontario, Riley spent most of his life in Port Hope and much of his time over the last few years on the East Coast.

Riley was a highly intelligent, deeply reflective, and compassionate young man who grew into a strong, introspective, and spiritual adult. While his childhood brought certain hurdles, including social challenges and his diagnosis of Autism and Tourette’s, he persevered and always worked to become a better and more confident version of himself.

He grew to love the East Coast, having spent his summer vacations there between the ages of 4 and 18 with his beloved grandmother, Margaret Dennis. Their travels together sparked a cherished family joke: when he was little, the only rule was that his grandmother couldn't lose him on the trip. As he grew into a young man, the joke fondly shifted, and it became Riley's job to make sure he didn’t lose Grandma.

Riley will be missed by his family, including his mother and father, Jayne Dennis and Ron Kersey, and his sister, Michaela Dennis and her partner, Brayden Dolley. Riley also leaves behind a loving extended family, including his aunt and uncle, Kerri and Mike Dennis; cousins Tori and Kelsie Dennis; cousins Ian and Colin Hancock; and his godmother, Lorna Astley, who spent many hours fishing, hiking, cutting grass, and catching frogs with him; along with many other cherished relatives and friends. He now joins his heavenly loved ones, including his grandmother Margaret and grandfather Cecil, along with his aunt Glenda and uncle John.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share memories of Riley and honour him by “paying it forward” through acts of kindness. Riley appreciated generosity and loved helping others. He was fascinated by the joy it brought him, once saying, “I wonder why it always feels so good inside when I help others.” We want to remember Riley not for the difficulties he faced, but for his resilience, intelligence, spirituality, love for his family, and genuine desire to make life better for other people.

Resting at the Scott Funeral Home, 815 Main Street, Woodstock, NB.

The family will have a Memorial Tribute in Port Hope, Ontario at a later date.

www.scottfh.com